Improvement in pruning-shears



. E. L. YANCEY.

Improvement in Prunin )Yage/eww g Shears.

' Patented Jan. 30, 1872.

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WQMM@ EDWIN L. YANCEY, OF BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PRUNlNG-SHEARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,321, dated January 30, 1872.

SPECIFICATION. To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWIN L. YANCEY, of Batavia, in the county ot' Genesee and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pruning-Shears, of which the following is a specitication.

Nature of the Invention.

This invention consists ot' two coincident hook-blades, having' each two cutting-surfaces, and so arranged as to be changed in position to cut above or below', or to be reversed from one side to the other, as hereinafter described.

General Description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved shears. Fig. 2 is a detached view, showing asaw attached to one blade.

A B represent the two blades, which are pivoted at u. These blades are of hook form, and are coincident, or have the same curve, so that when sluit together, they present the outline-at least approXimately--of a single blade. They are connected either to two handles C, as usual, or one blade may be attached to one handle, land the other connected with the same by a rod, b, and lever c, as shown in the drawing. Both the upper and lower edges ot' each blade are made sha-rp, so as to forni cutting-surfaces, as shown at d d and j' f. The novelty in t-his invention consists in making the two hooltblades coincident, or

nearly so, in their curve, and forming them with the four cutting-edges, as described. By this means, (when in one position,) the cut can be made upward, as shown in black lines, Fig. 1, or downward, as shown by dotted lines in the same ligure, the only requisite being to merely disconnect the lever c, and remove it to the opposite side. Still another change is made by turning one ot' the hook-blades entirely over or reversing its position.

By this means, fourfold the capacity of cutting-edge is produced over the old I'orm, as each of the four sharp edges may be brought into successive use as they become dulled; the only requisite being to reverse the blades from one side to the other, and after that is done to invert or turn over one blade. There is also an advantage in adapting the blades to either cut up or down, as the action can thus be adapted to various sizes of limbs, or to the condition of the work to be done. There isV an advantage also in this form ot' the hooks, in turning' them together to pull down limbs, as thereby double strength is secured. D is a saw, which is pivoted at the lower end to one jaw, and secured by a screw, a., above. Vhen not in use, this saw is reversed by taking out the screw, and lays alongside of the handle where it is not in the way.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The two coincident hook-blades A B, having the four cutting edges d cl fj", and capable of being reversed and changed in position, as herein described, being used either with or without the saw D.

In witness whereot I have hereunto signed my name in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

EDWIN L. YANCEY.

Witnesses:

URI SooTT, O. C. PARKER. 

